See more than 2 million colorful lights at the annual "ZooLights" celebration at Lincoln Park Zoo.Courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo

The BoDeans headline the Rialto Square Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 29.Courtesy of the BoDeans

Styx plays the Genesee Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 29.

A youth and volunteer cut into the Yule Log during last year's Hunt for the Yule Log at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.Daily Herald File Photo

Under the Streetlamp plays engagements at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan and the Paramount Theatre in Aurora this weekend.

Albert (Andrew Veenstra) rides his family's horse, Joey (manipulated by John Riddleberger, Patrick Osteen and Jessica Krueger), in the North American tour of "War Horse," playing at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre.COURTESY OF BRINKHOFF/MOGENBURG

Winter Flower & Train ShowModel trains wind their way through a miniature village, filled with colorful poinsettias and models of various Chicago landmarks, at the Winter Flower & Train Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory at 2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago. Many of the poinsettias on view are named for the season, including the Sparkling Punch, Eggnog and Peppermint Twist varieties. Free admission. (312) 742-7736 or chicagoparkdistrict.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 6

The world of DickensLearn about the life of author Charles Dickens, creator of some of literatures's most famous characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist, at the "Dickens: 200 Years of Celebrity" exhibit at the Lake County Discovery Museum, on Route 176, west of Fairfield Road, in the Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda. See hundreds of Dickens-related documents and objects, including the author's own traveling inkwell. Admission is $2.50-$6. Kids ages 3 and under are free. On discount Tuesdays, admission is $3 adults; free for youth ages 17 and younger. (847) 968-3400 or visit lcfpd.org. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30

A Victorian holidayExperience a Victorian Christmas at the Christmas Memories House Tour at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Guests can see the farmhouse, decked in greens, and a table set for company, while they smell the aroma of holiday treats. Free. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org. Tours begin on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Dec. 29-31

Grab your skatesThe Park at Rosemont is offering extended holiday hours for its outdoor skating rink, on River Road, between Bryn Mawr and Balmoral avenues in Rosemont. Admission is free. Note: Skate rental is available for $8. Visit rosemont.com. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 6

Rockettes in RosemontThis is the final weekend to see the Rockettes perform the annual holiday show "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular -- Starring the Rockettes" at the Akoo Theatre at Rosemont, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. The show features new special effects, new scenes and five new dance numbers. $47-$102. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. Noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, and noon and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30

Lighting up the nightSee thousands of twinkling lights and holiday scenes at Brookfield Zoo's annual Holiday Magic lights festival. Event highlights include laser shows, music and dance performances, ice-carving demonstrations and other family activities. Activities are free (with the exception of rides and photo opportunities) with paid $10.50-$15 general zoo admission. Parking is $10 per car. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Dec. 29-31

Time to partySuburban party band Dot Dot Dot will perform Saturday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. The band plays a mix of originals (culled from the four EPs the band has released on its own) and covers, all designed to deliver as energetic and upbeat a vibe onstage as possible. Here's a great pre-New Year's Eve option for suburban music fans. Go to ballydoylepub.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29

'Touching on Traditions'See displays of winter items from various cultures around the world at the annual "Touching on Traditions" exhibit at the Elgin Public Museum, Lords Park, 225 Grand Blvd., Elgin. $1-$2. (847) 741-6655 or elginpublicmuseum.org. Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, and noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31

New Year's rockMonday, of course, is New Year's Eve, and there are plenty of rock shows on tap for that night. Among the highlights close to home are Soul Asylum's appearance at the annual New Year's Rock 'N' Roll Ball at the Montrose Room, 5300 River Road, Rosemont. Different ticket packages available. Go to montroseroom.com. Local band Lucky Boys Confusion's 15th anniversary show is set for the Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Tickets start at $25. Go to cubbynorth.com. Either show would provide an excellent way to welcome 2013. Soul Asylum at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, and Lucky Boys Confusion at 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31

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